Quantum physics
Wave–Particle Duality
The finding that light and matter each behave as both waves and particles depending on how they are observed — light as photons in the photoelectric effect, electrons as interfering waves in a double slit. It reconciled centuries of debate about the nature of light and underlies how detectors count the photons that carry astronomy's information.
Highlights
- ›Light and matter as both wave and particle
Related physics & astronomy
Across fundamental physics
Knowledge connections
- Associated withThe Wave Function
- Associated withThe Wave Function
- Associated withQuantum Superposition
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.